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INFOBYTES THE OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY-7 | WWW.PIA.GOV.PH VOL. 2 | NO. 9 May 31, 2013
TOPSTORIES
More classrooms, teachers for CV By Rachelle M. Nessia
additional classrooms and opening of new teacher items in the region. DepEd-7 Regional Director Dr. Carmelita Dulangon in a recent Kapihan forum disclosed that new classrooms
are now being built in several public schools region-wide. CEBU CITY (PIA) -- The public Target accomplishment for school system in Region 7 is set to get a 2013 is 602 total classrooms in Central boost after the Department of Education Visayas. (DepEd) announced the construction of Of the total, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has reportedly completed construction of 80 classrooms for the first batch as of March 31, 2013. In 2012, the classrooms implemented in Central Visayas reached 811. Cebu province, being the biggest school division in the region, had 190 classrooms. Bohol came next with 135, followed by Cebu City, 131. Meanwhile, DepEd reported that 5,653 new teacher items are now open for 2013DepEd Region -7 Regional Director Dr, Carmelita T. Dulangon (in white) talking on the preparations 2014 school year for undertaken by DepEd under Balik Eskwela, adequacy of classrooms and teachers and other related kindergarten to secondary matters for this year's school opening during the Kapihan sa PIA forum at the DepEd Regional -7 office in levels. Ecotech, Lahug, Cebu City on May 22, 2013. Other resource persons were (l-r) Curriculum and Learning The additional and Management Division Chief Dr. Luz Jandayan. Resource Mobilization and Special Program and Project Division Chief Dr. Vivian Ginete and Admin Division Chief Ms. Ida Cabantan. Cebu Tri-media teachers will help DepEd attain their standard documented the forum. (VVV/PIA Cebu) teacher-student ratio of 1:45. “We are trying to reach the ratio of one teacher for 45 students, By Rachelle M. Nessia which is the ideal. So these new teacher items, CEBU CITY (PIA) -- Around 3,800 runners in Cebu are expected to join the first Cebu Run for the Rivers we will spread them out to Marathon on June 2. The marathon will highlight the rehabilitation of the Mahiga River system, one of the five river systems in Cebu reach the ideal ratio,” said Dr. Dulangon during the being rehabilitated by the local government by improving its water quality. The run aims to raise awareness on the importance of integrated water resources management and solid waste forum. management and boost the collaboration and coordination towards a sustainable river systems management. Applicants for said It also hopes to raise funds to serve as seed fund to improve water quality of the river systems through a teacher items are already private-public partnership approach. listed in DepEd’s registry Organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the run also highlights the Cebu Business of qualified applicants. Month 2013 celebration. Dulangon said The marathon will kick off from SM Cebu-Northwing Parking Area passing F. Cabahug Street, A. Soriano the education department Avenue, M.J. Cuenco (5K turning point), Ludo/Luym Bridge (10K turning point), then up until the Department of Public adds more teacher items Works and Highways (DPWH) Bridge (21K turning point) before going back to SM Cebu-Northwing Parking Area as the every year. finish line. Currently there An awarding ceremony will cap the marathon. Runners will be provided with singlets (race T-shirt), race bib number, route map and loot bags with snacks are 44,234 public school and other perks. teachers handling Interested runners may register at the registration counters at Toby’s-SM City Cebu, Runner-Ayala Center kindergarten to fourth year Cebu, Cebu City Sports Commission, or Cebu City Planning Office. high school classes in the The following registration fees have been set for the run categories: P250 for 5K, P350 for 10K, and P500 for region. 21K. Of the total, The marathon is held by CCCI in collaboration with the Cebu City Government, Department of Environment 39,601 are paid by the and Natural Resources-7, Cebu Academe Network, and NGOs and business companies in Cebu. (RMN/PIA Cebu with national government while reports from CCCI) 4,633 are locally paid. FOR MORE REGIONAL STORIES, LOG ON TO: http://pia7news.blogspot.com (RMN/PIA Cebu)
Thousands to join first Cebu Run for the Rivers Marathon
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BOHOL
NewsFeature: ‘Bamboo Flower’ film shoot to spur tourism in Abatan River By Rey Anthony H. Chiu BOHOL (PIA) –- A movie crew is currently on location shoot at the beautiful locations in Anda, Alicia, and Abatan River in Cortes and Maribojoc towns in Bohol for a movie entry in the prestigious Master Director’s Edition of the 2013 Sineng Pambansa. Movie director and Boholano artist Maryo J. delos Reyes said he brings to Bohol the production staff and crew to do a movie “The Bamboo Flowers.” Delos Reyes is among the 12 television and film directors who have been funded to provide an entry into the film festival in September, according to award-winning musical scorer Lutgardo Labad, who is also a Boholano . Delos Reyes said the project is a grant from the Film Development Council of the Philippines as a tribute to those who helped carve Philippine movies. In 2012, the country lost at least three great movie icons-- Celso Ad Castillo, Marilou Diaz-Abaya and Mario O’Hara and delos Reyes said he is dedicating “The Bamboo Flowers” to them. Delos Reyes explained that “Bamboo Flowers” is a collection of stories that narrate the lives of various characters in the province of Bohol.
SYNOPSIS De los Reyes summarized the story, thus: “There is the tale of Ma’am Berta and her son Omel who are happy living the simple life along the Abatan River in Antequera. But both are confronted by the condition of Berta’s aging and sick father, Andong. Andong loves joining the Abatan cultural collective presentation along the Abatan River Cruise. In fact, he also brought his grandson Omel into the group. Since then, Omel has been performing with them since he was 8 years old. Now, Omel has to leave Antequera for a job in Tagbilaran city to help the family.” “Meanwhile, in the coastal town of Anda, Sandra goes back home with her young teenage son Eric after the death of her husband that left them penniless. Eric has to adjust to the rural life that is now pressing upon him while dealing with his anger about what really happened to his beloved father. His relationship with his mother is much strained because he thinks Sandra is a weakling who had to retreat to the province with him in tow. But nothing is farther from the
COMELEC reminds candidates to submit poll expense reports By Rey Anthony H. Chiu
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) –- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reminds all candidates who may have won, lost or withdrew in the last elections need to submit their statement of expenditures and contributions. Failure to do so means a ban from taking a post, if elected, or for a non-winner to lose his other chance of running in any position in the future, the Comelec warns through Atty. Jonas Biliran. Rule 8, Section 2 of COMELEC Res. No. 9476 dated June 22, 2012 is the Comelec’s Campaign Finance and Disclosure Policy. The candidates must file the Comelec-provided SECEs to the Comelec offices where they filed their certificates of candidacies, not later than 30 days after elections, or until June 12. Comelec then issues a certificate of compliance to a candidate so he could take his oath, or be cleared of duties. Fair Elections Act provides
that candidates other than for the Presidential post, are allowed to spend P3.00 for every voter registered in his constituency, while those running as independent can spend as much as P5.00. According to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), winning candidates can only take their oaths of office after they can show their Comelec issued Certificate of Compliance to the SECE. The law provides that every candidate is obligated to file a statement of contributions and expenditures regardless of whether or not he or she pursued or withdrew his or her candidacy. Failure to file the SECE could mean facing suspension on administrative offense, and a possible fine of from P10,000 to P20,000. According to the poll body, offenders can also face a case for perpetual disqualification from future elections. The law also said offenders can be penalized a maximum of six years in jail and perpetual disqualification from public office, based on the Fair Elections Act. Imbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)
truth. When Eric bullies a classmate in his new school, Sandra knows that she has to do something to finally teach her son some lesson.” “Dolores is an intern at a resort in the island of Panglao, a requirement for her to graduate from her Tourism course. Her boyfriend Luis is also in his last semester at a maritime school. Both love each other but they plan to finish their studies so they can work abroad. While, everything looks bright for Dolores, Luis struggles with his studies and eventually fails. His father forces him to come home to Alicia so he can become a farmer and abandon his dream of becoming a seafarer.” “Luis and Dolores decide to call it quits knowing that a long distance relationship will not work for them. Dolores then meets a foreigner who seduces her into a romantic escapade and offers marriage.” The film is headlined by Mylene Dizon along with the company of big screen names, and features Boholano talents including the Abatan Cultural Collectives, according to Evelyn Silva, a production assistant of the movie. TOURISM PROMOTIONS With this movie, Abatan Community Life Tours get its most needed nationwide promotions, admits Emilia Roslinda, executive director of a non-government organization operating the tours. People in Abatan expect a sudden tourism awareness in their community like the one sprung when Cesar Montano filmed the movie “Panaghoy sa Suba” in Loboc. Now slowly picking up in tourism arrivals, the influx has also opened opportunities for people along the river to earn a few more in tourism services. Abatan features a river cruise and cultural presentations in its five stops circuit. Along the way from Cortes to Balilihan, where the river is navigable, tourists are afforded the view of bamboos, glorious in its flowering stage. Few days ago, delos Reyes, along with a casting crew held auditions for support cast at the Food Plaza of the BQ Mall, where a sizable crowd of aspiring young Boholanos tried their acting skills. On the movie, delos Reyes explains, “it is a reality that when the bamboo starts to produce flowers, the tree is said to be entering its final stage and will eventually die.” “The sight of the chandeliers of flowers hanging from the tree is all glorious. In the same manner, we are all destined to leave this world eventually and all we leave behind are the glorious stories of our lives,” de los Reyes said. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)
NEGROS ORIENTAL
INFOBYTES COMMUNITYNEWS
DSWD trains dev't workers in NegOr By Juju Manubag empuerto
CEBU CITY (PIA) -- Over 85 development workers from Negros Oriental towns attended the gender and development (GAD) sensitivity training of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7 at Hotel Essencia in Dumaguete City recently. Among the participants were community facilitators, social engineers and area coordinators who have direct stake in the management of the on-going construction of various community projects of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS). Kalahi-CIDSS is a poverty-reduction program of DSWD which has recently gained international recognition for effectively addressing
community needs. “Mainstreaming GAD in KalahiCIDSS is important to minimize gender bias and essentially recognizing women’s point of view in the implementation of community projects,” said Pamela Sullano, Deputy Regional Project Manager. Sullano encouraged the inclusion of women during the construction of the projects and for them to have the same salary as the men would have. DSWD-7 records show there are 7,849 female community volunteers compared to the 7,670 male community volunteers in Kalahi-CIDSS municipalities in Negros Oriental. Compared to Iloilo and Samar provinces, the areas in Central Visayas have the highest
percentage of female volunteers. During the training, the development workers approved the recall of their five percent annual budget allocation of their communities to be utilized for GAD activities to make local governance more gender-responsive and participatory. This is in compliance with Executive Order 273 (1995) of the General Appropriations Act that mandates government agencies, including local government unit to allocate five percent of their total budget for gender and development concerns. Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a funding agency created by the US congress for development pursuits, funded the training. "Believing in gender equality is recognizing the fact that the fullness of our being is realized with and through our opposites" said Rogelie Borbon from MCA-Philippines. (rmn/ JSME/PIA-Cebu/DSWD-7)
TESDA sets up info desk at Robinsons
In celebration of the International Day of Action on Women’s Health on May 28, City Health Officer Dra. Maria Sarah Talla briefed women’s participants on sexually transmitted disease, reproductive health, smoking and development healthy lifestyle at the Dumaguete City Health Office. (PIA7-NegOr)
Dumaguete gets award for ‘next wave city’ for BPO By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) -- Dumaguete City received an award as one of the Top 10 New Wave Cities for outsourcing locations in the Philippines. The recognition was given by The Information and Communications Technology Office and the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines for achieving as one of the country’s top ten outsourcing locations in 2012. The city’s current administration to make Dumaguete an attractive investment place for potential Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industries has attained its 10th ranked in last year’s percentage on the next wave cities scorecard. It is noted that in 2010, Dumaguete City got the same award for picking up higher scores on the labor pool of human resources and environment categories because of the presence of universities and ICT council here. In particular, cities are scored for the presence of providers of fiber optic networks, cost of labor and office space, quality of their roads, access to international and domestic flights, reliability of power supply, availability of property sites, vulnerability to natural disturbances, peace and order situation, among others. Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria accepted the plaque of recognition
during the awarding ceremony recently at Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City, Philippines. Louis Napoleon Casambre, Executive Director DOST-ICTO and Jose Mari Mercado, President IBPAP signed the plaque of recognition. The recognition is a testament to the hard work, determination, and spirit of cooperation among its stewards and leaders to develop their jurisdiction as an environment conducive to wellmanaged business growth and ICT development in Dumaguete City. The top 10 cities are Baguio, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Lipa, Metro Bulacan (composed of Baliuag, Calumpit, Malolos, Marilao and Meycauayan), Metro Cavite (Bacoor, Dasmarinas, Cavite, Imus) Metro Laguna (Cabuyao, Calamba, Los Banos, Sta. Rosa, San Pablo) Metro Naga (Naga City and Pili) and Metro Rizal (Antipolo, Binangonan, Cainta, Taytay). "These are areas which we believe can spur development of innovation and provide options for expansion for companies," said Science department Information and Communications Technology Office Deputy Executive Director Monchito Ibrahim. The Top 10 next wave cities are announced yearly to highlight areas which can host new business process outsourcing investors. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA)--The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Negros Oriental has established recently a functional information desk at the 2nd floor of Robinsons Place-Dumaguete City for easier access of information on TESDA’s services. TESDA information officer Geraldine delos Reyes said, this is in concurrence with TESDA-national and Robinson's Land Corporation which inked a memorandum of agreement recently that allows the establishment of TESDA information desks inside Robinson Malls across the country. Under the agreement, Robinsons will provide TESDA an exhibit space inside their selected branches for the installation of TESDA Information Desks where access to information will be made available. Clients will have direct contacts with TESDA on its services which include its courses offered, current programs and projects, schedules of competency assessment, job fairs and other events about technical vocational education and training (TVET), said delos Reyes. The agreement also provided an opportunity for TESDA to promote the E-learning Training Program or the TESDA Online Program (TOP) and the TESDA Specialista Technopreneurship Program (TSTP). The TOP is TESDA’s current initiatives on promoting TVET and job generation. The TESDA Specialistas graduates and NC-II holders are formed into groups according to their skills and were given tool kits by TESDA who offer their services to the community at a reasonable fee.
INFOBYTES
is a weekly electronic newsletter produced by the Philippine Information Agency-Region 7 with stories submitted by its Provincial Information Centers in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
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SIQUIJOR
“Yellow” magic cast a spell on Siquijor By RIZALIE A. CALIBO SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- Local politics here was once painted in red (“pula” or “pua” in local dialect), with the Fua clan in control of major elective positions in the island of Siquijor. But the recently concluded 2013 elections changed all that. Now comes the “yellow” magic, after the Liberal Party (LP) succeeded in getting majority of the top positions and ousting the Fuas in the congressional and gubernatorial slots they occupied for more than two decades. From what used to be a strong influence to one mere town in a number of years, the “yellow” party is now spreading like fire in three municipalities of Siquijor, the capital town, Larena, and Enrique Villanueva , composing the first district and a few in the towns of Maria, San Juan and Lazi, composing the second district. After the recently-concluded polls, the LP has taken over the congressional, gubernatorial, vice-gubernatorial and first provincial district councilors’ seats. The second provincial district however, is occupied by all Lakas - CMD (Christian Muslim Democtrats). Dr. Marie Anne Pernes was proclaimed the winner for the lone congressional seat of Siquijor province after the death of her husband Dr. Jay Samson Pernes of the LP a day before the election. The 49-year-old Pernes died of heart ailment on May 12 and was substituted by his wife, 48-year-old Marie Anne after accepting the responsibility and filing her certificate of candidacy (COC) 9:10a.m. on May 13. But his death did not stop him from garnering an overwhelming 29,530 votes over his opponent Orlando A. Fua Jr. who got 24,474 votes based on the Comelec’s official result. Newly-proclaimed governor shipping businessman Jecoy Villa got 30,143 votes over Orville A. Fua with 23,519 votes. Singer-actor Fernando “Dindong” Avanzado Jr. is also proclaimed the new vice governor with 27,817 votes over that of Arturo Pacatang’s 21,981 votes. It was an equal fight between the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the two provincial districts. The first provincial district is ruled by all LP candidates Cyrus Olpoc, Clare Lucero, and Wawen Honrubia while in the second district are all Lakas CMD members --- Rebecca Padayhag and Edwin Quimno, incumbent mayors of Maria and San Juan town respectively, and Leonido Bonachita. It was also a landslide victory for Larena town LP candidates with Dean Villa emerging as the Mayor and incumbent mayor Gold Calibo as the vice-Mayor. Proclaimed winners for the town’s Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members are Jucito D. Gom-os, Haidee Lucero, Clyde Omictin, Leonardo Lingcay, Dindo Larot, Cle Bern Paglinawan, Danilo Achay, and Bartolome Monte. In Enrique Villanueva and Siquijor towns, only two Lakas-CMD candidates made it to each SB seats, all the rest were from the Liberal Party. Proclaimed winners are Gerold V. Pal-ing for mayor and Leonardo Paculba, vice-mayor Proclaimed SB winners were: Porferio Inguito Jr., Editha Suminguit, Jerry Kitong, Belinda Inao, Nenita Baliquig, Joel Magsalay, Avelino Paculba and Ruth Aque. In Siquijor town, the father and daughter tandem were proclaimed the winners --- Mei Ling Quezon and Turnover of P350,000 check to Deleto Cuevas (2nd from left), owner/ incumbent mayor Richard Quezon. The SB members manager of Dodge Welding Works, by Provincial Science and Technology were: Ellaine May Avanzado, Joy Lopes de Andrade, Jim Director Engr. Mario de la Pena (2nd from right). The assistance is intended Joe Ambalong, Junnie Jumawan, Artemio Alvarico, Jimmy for “Machinery and Equipment Upgrading of Dodge Welding Shop" in Duhaylungsod, Dionisio Capitan, and Romnick Angas. Candanay Norte, Siquijor, Siquijor as a component project of Small The trend in the second district (Maria, Lazi and Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP) of the Department San Juan towns) however, is almost opposite compared to of Science and Technology (DOST). Witnessing the turn-over are Engr. the first three towns. Except for the winning mayor for Maria Roland Padayhag (left), also of DOST and Deleto’s wife, Maria Inin Cuevas. town, who is an independent, and two each from LP for SB (RACalibo/PIA-Siquijor with photo from DOST) seats, all the rest are from the Lakas CMD party. Maria town proclaimed winners were: Meynard Asok for mayor and Fernando Orlando for vice-mayor. The SB members who won were: Candelaria Aninipo, Leo Enot, Frederick Padayhag, Jim B. Massiliones, Cayetano Malolot, , Exavel Ligutom, Meinard Mark country’s entrepreneurs as the engine for SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- The Department job creation and wealth distribution, said de Magsayo and DiosdadoDaug. For the town of Lazi, incumbent of Science and Technology (DOST) through la Pena. mayor and vice-mayor Orpheus Fua and its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading As of this writing, the program has James Monte remained with SB member Program (SETUP) recently signed a already released a total of P1.8 million to Rommel Dimagnaong, Earl Aljas, Dale memorandum of agreement with three five SMEs. Dimagnaong, Romy Bation, Rose Mae small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in The first two was done in April and Dalaygon, Remegio Sierras, Gary Tumapon Siquijor. and Henry Dinsay. three others this month. Said SMEs are Naning’s Furniture F i n a l l y, f o r S a n J u a n t o w n , SET-UP is a nationwide strategy Shop of Tubod San Juan; Charito Furniture that encourages and assists micro, small, proclaimed winners were Wilfredo Capundag Shop of Lambojon, Siquijor; and Honeybeh and medium scale enterprises to adopt for mayor, Lilian Sumalpong for vice -mayor Meat Shop of Poblacion, Maria, Siquijor. technological innovations that improve their and SB members Rubilyn Maata, Zosimo The P1.3-million funding assistance operations and boost their productivity and Andos, Lyndon Jo, Michellee Barrete, Gladwin Bucol, Dammy Tumala, Freddie will be used to upgrade the production and/or competitiveness. processing equipment of the three firms. The program enables firms to Calibo, and Dario Ocay. In a media interview, Congresswoman Provincial Science and Technology address their technical problems through (PSTC) Director Engr. Mario de la Pena said technology transfer and technological Marie Anne said the victory was offered to the move is DOST’s continuing support to interventions to improve productivity through Siquijodnon heroes who really believed in SMEs through DOST-SETUP to make sure better product quality, human resources change. “Nasa kamay ho natin that the department's priority sectors are development, cost minimization and waste ang kalayaang napakatagal na nating assisted. management, and other operation related hinahanap at inaantay… hindi na po natin T h i s i s i n r e s p o n s e t o t h e activities. (rmn/MEP/DOST/RACalibo/PIAito pakakawalan,” stressed Pernes . (FCR/ government’s effort to strengthen the Siquijor) RCalibo/PIA-Siquijor)
DOST inks MOA with 3 SMEs P1.3-M funding assistance alloted